GRAVE CHARGES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5348, 7 November 1928, Page 2

GRAVE CHARGES.

RETRIAL OF J. H. J. JOHNSON. VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. The retrial of Johp Horace James Johnson, farmer, Netherton (Mr J. J. Sullivan), on four charges oft incest, took- place before Mr Justice: Smith in the Supreme Court at Auckland on Monday. / Mr Hubble pr.osec.uted for the; Crown. • His Honour cleared the Court.. The defence was that the accusations were the outcome of a family plot aganist accused. Mr .Sullivan said that lit-his opinion there was no case to’ answer, as the developments in the case and the answers received in cross-examination; indicated the 'family quarrel behind'the whole matter. and that there xvas little; evidence to support the allegations. His Honour said he: was of the same opinion—that it was an extremely weak-case — and he would like to ‘know •"what the Crown solicitor thought. Mr Hubble said that in bis opening he had indicated there we;r.e features which showed it to be not, a strong ■case, particularly owing to- the developments since the last trial. His Honour directed the jury that it would be unsafe to convict, «s two of the principal witnesses for the Crown were self-confessed perjurers, xx’hilq the evidence; of the children "’as not safe. He stated tihis, of course,, subject to tjie jury’s deliberations. ■ The jury conferred in the box without retiring,' and the foreman announced a vefdict of not guilty, adding that they xvere of the opinjon that it was a conoccted story ag.ainst accused.